Just reading Oswald Chambers’ devotional from tomorrow, I was truly hit by what he had to say. I need to admit that it does not happen very often that I appreciate his devotionals because I do not like his sometimes accusatory style of writing (preaching). I am paraphrasing him here a bit, “Do you think you have already arrived? Are you sure you belong to the Lord Jesus? You should not do this … you should not do that… you [seem to do it all wrong – the latter were my words].” This posture reminds me of preachers on the pulpit who seemingly dwell in another, higher spiritual region than their more or less attentive audience does. If we compare such accusations with how often the apostle Paul humbled himself before other, less mature Christians, we might know where and when we must be cautious about believing what we hear or read from other people. Nonetheless, I can tell you whenever Chambers goes over do including himself into what he has to say, I am happy! Lo and behold… below. 😊

In the Scriptures, the great miracle of the incarnation slips into the ordinary life of a child; the great miracle of the transfiguration fades into the demon-possessed valley below; the glory of the resurrection descends into a breakfast on the seashore. This is not an anticlimax, but a great revelation of God.

We have a tendency to look for wonder in our experience, and we mistake heroic actions for real heroes. It’s one thing to go through a crisis grandly, yet quite another to go through every day glorifying God when there is no witness, no limelight, and no one paying even the remotest attention to us. If we are not looking for halos, we at least want something that will make people say, “What a wonderful man of prayer he is!” or, “What a great woman of devotion she is!” If you are properly devoted to the Lord Jesus, you have reached the lofty height where no one would ever notice you personally. All that is noticed is the power of God coming through you all the time.

We want to be able to say, “Oh, I have had a wonderful call from God!” But to do even the most humbling tasks to the glory of God takes the Almighty God Incarnate working in us. To be utterly unnoticeable requires God’s Spirit in us making us absolutely humanly His. The true test of a saint’s life is not successfulness but faithfulness on the human level of life. We tend to set up success in Christian work as our purpose, but our purpose should be to display the glory of God in human life, to live a life “hidden with Christ in God” in our everyday human conditions (Colossians 3:3). Our human relationships are the very conditions in which the ideal life of God should be exhibited.

I can only add a heartfelt ‘AMEN’ here! It is so true that from God’s perspective that which is important in this world (appearance, money, fame, or success) is neither interesting nor important in the kingdom of God. Quite the contrary! The most unimportant saint on earth, not known to anyone but to a handful of people will be most important in heaven if he proves to be a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ in his days on earth. Not yet convinced? Our Lord told us the following parables. At first this parable …to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Lk 14:7-11 ESV)

Who Is the Greatest?

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”(Mt 18:1-6 ESV)

The child in the latter parable is a metaphor of the innocence and humility of a Christian’s newly born nature IN Christ. Outside of Christ, instead, our old nature tends to crave for the highest place, the greatest throne, longs to be the best speaker, writer, counselor, the acknowledged Christian expert, the teacher-preacher-every-feature. I guess you get the picture. So, what does a real saint who will most certainly sit on a high throne in heaven look like, finally? In my view, here is one example.

The Widow’s Offering

And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” (Mk 12:41-44 ESV)

Yes, Louise, VERY BIG! It seems to me that Jesus referred to our possessive old self that says, “This is mine, not yours!” like little children who often quarrel over toys.

Martin Luther once said that everything he gave into God’s hands, he finally received back from Him. But what He kept close to himself, he lost. I think he referred to being IN Christ, eventually, where ALL things are ours.

Thank you, Susanne, for this sobering treatise. As I was reading your article, I was reminded of how it was when I came into Christianity where my eyes were soon fixed on those Christians I thought were the “greatest.” Of coarse they sat in the seats of honor and had audiences with popes, kings and presidents. I finally was made aware that I had taken my same soulish drives I had in the world for fame and fortune and brought them right on into my new found walk with the Lord as I was determined to be thought of as a “great” Christian before my peers. The more I read the gospels the more I saw a great contrast between what is call “Christian success” in this world and the One who demonstrated what it meant to be great in His Father’s kingdom and to receive His glory… on the cross. Jesus said to His disciples,

“I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.” (Matt 11:25-26, KJV)

Only the meek and lowly in heart and those who are as babes can learn the true riches of God, not the proud. I know of a man that became a “great” Christian author and guest speaker and even had a TV show. He walked into his dorm room shared by three others on his first day of seminary and announced, “I am here to learn the Bible and then I’m going to write a great book and become famous.” I say unto you, he has received his reward (see Matt. 6:2).

I thank my Father in heaven that He loves me enough to rebuke and chasten me as I have needed it, for it is in THIS that I know that He loves me. In His kingdom the way up is the way down in this world.

Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. (Luke 6:26, KJ2000)

Sad to say, but there are so many false prophets in Christendom today and they know nothing of the cross of Christ in their lives.

Michael, these three Scriptures about how to find rest, as to God’s (hidden) wisdom that is so opposed to this world’s, and on how our ‘reputation’ in this world should look like (persecution?) go hand in hand with what I had to say! ⭐

What seemed to be a bit strange to me was the following…

Yesterday I was pretty wrung out as I would ask God on what to do: fellowship or not, prayer break or not, or rather going to bed early. Finally, I decided to to do the latter. Before going to bed, I read T. Austin Sparks’ devotional for the very next day. Having been so tired, I was not sure I should delve into Oswald Chambers’ devotional, too. But eventually I did. As I began reading, I heard the Lord speak to my mind, “Why do you keep reading what you do not like most of the time?” Must be a Susanne tradition of sorts, I thought. 😉 And then, you see the outcome. I began to read, felt the Holy Spirit rushing into my mind, and began to write a blog post instead of going to bed. 🙂 So, second night in a row with a lack of sleep! 😛

While writing the article, I felt better and better. I was not tired any more and I had to laugh several times about God’s wisdom as well. On the whole, a humorous entry, I thought. And then your comment came in and you told me it was a ‘sobering treatise’ for you. I could not understand why that which had made me smile would have a sobering effect on you, instead. 🙄 It would seem the Spirit speaks to His children not always in the very same way.

It is true, Susanne, that the Spirit speaks differently to each of God’s children. “…what is that to you? You follow Me.” (John 21:22) I have to remind my self of that, over and over. It helps me to not compare myself with others, and to allow God to work in each life as He sees fit.

Susanne, what you wrote made you happy because you were obeying God when you wrote this article. I found it sobering because it reminded me of my own personal struggle with my flesh seemingly always wanting recognition and friendship deep down inside. I think that the following words of Paul might explain this dichotomy of emotions…

For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not regret, though I did regret: for I perceive that the same epistle has made you sorry, though it were but for a time. Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you sorrowed to repentance: for you were made sorry after a godly manner, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing. For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be regretted: but the sorrow of the world works death. (2Cor 7:8-10, KJ2000)

Paul was rejoicing and they were sorrowful. Yet Jesus promised,

Blessed are you that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are you that weep now: for you shall laugh. (Luke 6:21, KJ2000)

In our Father’s kingdom not all sorrow is bad for it is allowed to happen that it might bring forth His glory and that we might truly have something to rejoice and be happy about in the long run.

As for me being happy while writing… Well, I recall many a blog post where my heart was broken and I had to write somehow with a hurting heart and in many tears. Although I knew it was God who nudged me to jot it all down, it would be a hard struggle then.

Not so yesterday… I saw God’s humor in how He ridicules all this human stuff that is fed by Satan. We truly need the simple mind of a little child so that we can ‘get’ God’s BIG THOUGHTS that are a folly in an adult’s view because reason and logic do not help here. Only trust in Him is what counts in the long run.

Your article brings to my mind of a book I once read where the author talked about a false-self and a true-self or another way of looking at it is how we act in public and how we act in private—-I remember when my wife and I seperated for two years before the divorce—for the fist time in 28 years I was living alone and I thought to myself—oh dear there is no one watching me but then I thought oh yes there is and I said well now comes the real test! Sad to say I realized how much I had been living in the false self—When you live in the reality then you can see how weak you are and then its time to run to Father and say oh Lord save me from myself!

Ken, I have had this thought about acting in public and private as the same person, so to speak, on my mind for quite some time now. Just yesterday I was tempted to give in to a temptation, a special concession in this case, offered by someone who was not really in charge to do such things (not the boss of a company, that is). I felt the Spirit in me immediately shrink back and reacted, “No, I would not do this.” I felt God’s peace, yet I knew I lost a ‘friend’ (a woman) as well. We cannot be friends with God and with the world at the same time. Or in other words (Paul’s),

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Gal 1:10 ESV)

Yea that is good—Christ in us is the glory/ power of Gods new covenant—He is our mediator and now when temptation arises He shows us how to respond unto His Fathers satisfaction and we get peace—We are free to rest! and if per chance we dont heed His prompting and give in to the temptation we simply tell Him–I am sorry Father I have not obeyed you—and He will say yes I saw what you did and I did not like it but lets get you up out of the dirt and wash you off and move on and see if We can do better the next time—Wow such a loving and patient parent!

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So pleased to see another post Susanne! I have so much going on in my life right now that it is wonderful to see you share what the Spirit is saying. It helps me get my bearings.
I think the account of the woman who anointed Jesus head with nard in Mark is another example of what a real saint looks like. She is nameless but her act was utter gratitude, honor, and devotion to our Lord. By HIS word spoken when it occurred and written for us to remember – like the widow’s mite – her deed is recorded forever!

Mark 14:3-9 (ESV)
“And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head.
There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that?
For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her.
But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.
For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me.
She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial.
And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

It means a lot to me that you heard the Spirit speaking in what I wrote here. Thanks for this confirmation! 🙂

Yes, this example of another woman fits perfectly! ⭐ The Bible even tells us that she will never be forgotten (Mk 14:9). Must have to do with the fact that she did God’s will just as the widow did. God spoke to their hearts and they obeyed. This reminds me of two other Scriptures here.

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Mk 13:31 ESV)

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” (Is 55:10-11 ESV)

Amen! I had read the same this this morning by Oswald Chambers. And I had to agree. I am glad I can still read your blogs, although I cannot “like” without trying to remember my password. Oh dear. And all the comments I have read already I cannot add anymore. Those who are first will be last and those who are last will be first. That reminds me of a little story in my own life. Rather than getting trampled upon I would prefer to be last.

Matthew 20:16King James Version (KJV)

16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

“What a great truth this is! Thanks, Susanne. In our daily lives we can and must display the life of Christ, when speaking with neighbors, when making our purchases, in a waiting line of a bank, at the table with our relatives, in the simple life of each day we can reveal Christ. Many desire pulpiteering and leadership because they believe that this is how God should be served. But the Lord likes our service in the simplicity of our lives and in the daily moments that He offers us to live, without pretension but just loving Him. Lots of kisses and hugs for you.

Thank you for your compliments, dear Patricia! You are very welcome as to the truth offered. I do like your numerous examples of when we should display the life of Christ in us. But without Him and His Spirit’s help, we cannot produce any good thing.

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“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."
(John 3:16-17 ESV)

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